The business and culture of our digital lives, from the L.A. Times

Federal judge approves Facebook 'Beacon' class-action settlement

March 17, 2010 | 2:12
pm

After reviewing objections, a San Jose federal judge has approved a $9.5-million settlement of a class-action lawsuit over social networking site Facebook’s program Beacon that published what users were buying.

As part of the settlement, Facebook will fund a “digital trust fund” that will issue more than $6 million in grants to organizations that study online privacy. Over the objections of privacy advocates, Facebook will have a seat on the fund’s three-member board. The board consists of Chris Jay Hoofnagle, who heads the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology; Tim Sparapani, Facebook’s public policy director; and writer Larry Magid.

One privacy advocate said he’s exploring whether he can appeal the decision. “This sweetheart deal for Facebook is outrageous, and another indication they don't really want to ensure privacy online,” said Jeffrey Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy.